This release serves as a follow-on to the release of a draft solicitation for the Antarctic Research Vessel (ARV) Integrator requirement which occured on 28 September 2023. A link to this release is provided below.

Incorporated into this special notice is a revision of the draft solicitation document. Revisions to the Project Execution Plan or other attachments are not available and are not included.

Significant changes between drafts:

• Example task order scheduled added under part B. Fixed-price contract types are no longer being considered. Incorporates Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee contract types and language for application.
• Clause 52.222-46 EVALUATION OF COMPENSATION FOR PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES moved from Section M to Section L, incorporated by full text in lieu of incorporated by reference.
• Clause 52.246-19 WARRANTY OF SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT UNDER PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS OR DESIGN CRITERIA (MAY 2001) ALTERNATE III had had multiple fill-ins completed.
• Change fo F.2.3.2 referring to Quarterly Management Reviews, clarifying that the Integrator is the responsible party for ensuring the meeting occurs and that the ship builder participates.
• Change to H.14.3, removal of sentence related to NSF meeting directly with a ship builder without Integrator representation being present.
• Sentence added to Section L.3 on what will be assessed in the event a competitive range is established.
• Section under part F related to property reporting removed.
• Clause 52.246-11 HIGHER-LEVEL CONTRACT QUALITY REQUIREMENT under Part E removed.
• Small note added to F.4, section with change management thresholds, indicating that they are subject to change under mutual agreement between NSF and the Integrator.

This draft release includes a Question and Answer (Q&A) matrix on which interested parties must submit their questions.

Interested parties must submit responses for this release to arv.procurement@nsf.gov. Please submit responses no later than the closing date of this announcement. Any questions related specifically to this release and its instructions may be submitted to the above address as well. Any public release of answers for questions related to this release will be released via this SAM.gov announcement.

This notice is being issued solely for informational and planning purposes. Further, this notice does not constitute a procurement solicitation. This notice does not commit NSF to contract for any supply or service nor wed NSF to any particular contract type or process. All costs associated with responding to this notice will be solely at the interested party’s expense and any information provided under this notice is purely voluntary. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future competition or participation in future subcontract opportunities which may arise. NSF expects to release any future solicitation regarding this matter at the Federal Point of Entry, www.sam.gov. It is the responsibility of interested parties to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this anticipated competition. NSF also reserves all rights to update this announcement with additional information throughout and after the response period. Nothing in this Special Notice should be construed to authorize any vendor to work, start work, or bill for work.

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